SHREVEPORT, La. - U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine and a handgun.
Paul Matthew Garza, 35, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Mark L. Hornsby to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Garza’s vehicle was pulled over during a traffic stop on May 25, 2016 near the Louisiana/Texas border in Caddo Parish. Upon searching his vehicle, law enforcement found 408 grams of methamphetamine and 142.73 grams of Xanax bars. Upon searching his home, additional methamphetamine and Xanax were found. A Ruger LCP.380 semi-automatic handgun, digital scales and $17,400 were also found.
Garza faces 10 years to life in prison for the drug count and five years in prison for the firearm count. He also faces at least five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. A sentencing date of Jan. 12, 2017 was set.
The DEA and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
